18 Types Of Dracaena Plants That Thrive Indoors

Wherever you are on your houseplant journey, dracaena plants are always a welcome addition to an indoor jungle. These houseplants are infamously easy to care for and add wonderful texture and color to a home or office. However, with 198 species of dracaena plants available, you may not know which is right for you. From the upright, tree-like corn plant to the spiky, colorful snake plant, there are loads of dracaena species to pick from. And that is before we even get into the cultivars! 

Thankfully, picking a dracaena plant can simply come down to what you like the look of. The majority of the species available to buy as houseplants all share similar care needs and thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. They prefer temperatures of around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate humidity. Although dracaena plants are pretty low-maintenance, they can be sensitive to tap water, so you may want to use rainwater or filtered water to ensure that they are happy. Only water these plants when the top layer of the soil is dry. So, now we know how to care for a dracaena plant at home, let's find the perfect type for you. Here are some brilliant varieties and cultivars you can bring into your space. 

The corn plant massangeana (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana') is a popular houseplant that is characterised by its lush, stripy leaves and woody trunk. These plants are like mini trees and can grow up to 15 feet. However, as a slow grower, it doesn't normally reach these heady heights when kept as a houseplant and usually stays around 4 to 5 feet tall. The glossy, arching leaves of this cultivar are a fantastic way to bring texture and shape into your home. This dracaena cultivar is among the most popular types used as a houseplant.

The Madagascar dragon tree 'Magenta' (Dracaena marginata 'Magenta') brings hues of purple, red, and dark green into your home. This cultivar has long, narrow leaves that create a thick display of foliage, popping out from a cane-like stem. It is slow to grow but can reach a height of around 6 feet in the right conditions. When you look closely at the leaves, you will see stripes or tinges of a few different colors, with some specimens having more distinct markings than others, which have more of an ombre effect.  

Snake plants were actually classed as a different species until recently. These plants are succulents in the Dracaena genus, and there are some beautiful ones to pick from. A classic cultivar is the variegated snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii'), which has long green leaves framed with bright yellow bands. If you decide on a snake plant, know that they do have slightly different needs than other dracaena types. They are much more sensitive to overwatering, so you should water them only when the soil has dried out completely. They also prefer to be in a cactus mix.

The three-colored dragon tree (Dracaena marginata 'Tricolor') brings explosions of brightness to your home. This cultivar has long, green leaves with cream and red stripes. The hues of red are incredible and bold, so you may want to go for this cultivar if you like making a statement! The three-colored dragon tree is made up of one or more thin, woody stems, with the tufts of foliage resting on top of them. This variety can reach up to 15 feet tall. However, when grown in a container indoors, it probably won't get that big.

You can definitely see how corn plants and snake plants are related when looking at this cultivar! The corn plant 'Lemon Lime' (Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime') has that stripy, bright foliage not dissimilar to many snake plants, with long arching leaves containing hues of green, yellow, and cream. When grown indoors as a container plant, the corn plant 'Lemon Lime' usually grows to between 4 and 6 feet tall. The foliage grows from a central, woody stem, but offshoots can appear to create layers of height. 

Another variety that used to be in the Sansevieria genus but was later reclassified as Dracaena, the shark fin plant (Dracaena masoniana), has quite an interesting look! With large, paddle-shaped leaves that can reach up to 10 inches, the shark fin plant is often grown with just one dominant leaf. Like snake plants, this dracaena variety does need slightly different care. It is very drought-tolerant, and the soil should be left to dry out between waterings. However, apart from that, it rarely needs any attention, making it a great low-maintenance houseplant for beginners. 

Another stunning corn plant variety, the corn plant 'Limelight' (Dracaena fragrans 'Limelight') has beautiful, bright green foliage. This cultivar really stands out when placed amongst darker plants, with its bushy growth adding brilliant texture to your houseplant collection. The corn plant 'Limelight' can reach 6 feet in height, but usually stays a more compact size when grown as a houseplant. This makes it a great indoor plant for smaller spaces, without losing the magnificence of the Dracaena genus! It's a slow grower, but it can thrive happily under the right conditions. 

Despite its name and appearance, the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a type of dracaena and deserves its place on this list! The green striped stems of the lucky bamboo make it really special, as these stems can be trained into different shapes. You may have seen this plant with amazing spiral stems, which you can create at home with a little bit of patience. The lucky bamboo can also be grown in water for some intrigue. Although it looks pretty fancy, the lucky bamboo is just as undemanding as other dracaena houseplants. 

If you love a patterned houseplant, the gold dust dracaena 'Florida Beauty' may be the dracaena for you! This cultivar has dark green leaves that are covered in creamy white spots, with the spots sometimes completely taking over from the green base. This is a fairly small, shrub-like variety, only growing to around 2 or 3 feet. Unlike other members of the genus, the stems are thin and wiry, often hidden behind the foliage. New leaves will appear on the plant as tightly curled cones that then unfurl, which is amazing to watch. 

The dracaena 'Milky Way' (Dracaena surculosa 'Milky Way') variety is a proper showstopper. Its large, glossy, green leaves have a striking creamy white band down the middle, with speckles of cream dotted around the sides. Like the gold dust dracaena, this cultivar is fairly small, growing to a height of 2 or 3 feet and a spread of 3 to 4 feet. The 'Milky Way' is a great option for an accent plant in a smaller room, thanks to its unique patterns that make a big impact. 

The green zebra plant (Dracaena goldieana) has gorgeous, large leaves marked with stripes and patterns. It usually grows from one stem, with the green zebra-print leaves reaching out to a spread of around 3 feet. The plant can reach a height of around 3 feet, making it a great medium-sized option. However, this variety of dracaena is not as tough and low-maintenance as other options, so you may want to avoid it if you are new to the world of houseplants. It is more sensitive to temperature changes and low humidity. 

With its curly, fluffy leaves, the song of India plant (Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India') is a cute variety that brings an airy, light feel to your home. This plant can grow into a tree in the wild, with the clusters of foliage dotted sparsely along its branching stems. However, as a houseplant, the song of India plant usually grows to around 4 or 5 feet. Like the majority of dracaena plants, it is a low-maintenance option, but you may want to shorten weak stems in the spring to keep it healthy. 

The African spear plant (Dracaena angolensis) is a succulent dracaena variety, with long, spiky leaves that can reach up to 7 feet in height. The cylindrical, dark green leaves usually have rings or stripes in lighter green shades, creating a nice show of color. Sometimes, you will find the African spear plant available in a braided form, with three or more leaves platted together. Like other succulent dracaena varieties, the African spear plant does well in a cactus potting mix and doesn't need as much water. In winter, you need to water it only once a month. 

The corn plant 'Dorado' (Dracaena fragrans 'Dorado') has subtle variegation on its leaves, which are dark green with lime green edges. Although these colors may not be as bright and bold as other varieties, the contrast is still striking. The leaves curl downwards, which creates a fluffy, compact appearance that brings something new to your houseplant collection. The stems have a green, stripy appearance that looks similar to the lucky bamboo variety. The corn plant 'Dorado' reaches around 4 to 6 feet when grown as a container plant inside the home. 

Reaching 18 inches long with a central, white stripe contrasting against a dark, green background, the leaves of the corn plant 'Bausei' (Dracaena fragrans 'Bausei') really make a statement. These leaves grow off thick stems that reach around 4 feet in height, making the corn plant 'Bausei' a fantastic medium-sized option. Most plants have just one stem, but can have more. This variety can grow into a mini tree but usually stays a more compact shape, making it perfect for a range of rooms in your home. 

The Dracaena Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans 'Janet Craig') is a popular houseplant variety that has dense bunches of leaves dotted amongst its branches. It usually consists of one thick, upright stem with smaller branches coming off to display its foliage. The dark green leaves are smaller than those of other Dracaena fragrans varieties and provide the plant with a polished appearance, making it a great addition to more formal spaces. It reaches a mature size of around 3 to 6 feet. However, its smaller leaves create a compact look. 

The Madagascar dragon tree 'Sunray' (Dracaena marginata 'Sunray') is a fun, expressive plant. With long, narrow leaves that spike upright on the top of thick stems, it's sure to add brightness to your home. The leaves are dark green with hues of yellow in their centers, having that iconic dracaena variegation. Like other dragon tree cultivars, this one can reach a decent size when the conditions are right. It doesn't need much serious care, but it can be helpful to shorten any weak stems. 

For a super tiny dracaena variety, check out the bird's nest snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii'). This species only grows to around 6 inches, with its thick leaves appearing in a rosette arrangement. As a succulent variety of dracaena, it needs less water than other types and does well in a cactus soil mix. Although small, the bird's nest snake plant is a charming plant and is a perfect addition to an office desk or a smaller kitchen. You can get the bird's nest snake plant with yellow stripes, which is called the golden hahnii.